Publications
Tabique buildings heritage in the Alto Douro Wine Region, Portugal
A comprehensive analysis of Tabique buildings in the UNESCO-listed Alto Douro Wine Region reveals that despite visible deterioration, these traditional timber-framed structures retain robust mechanical performance and structural integrity. The study, combining fieldwork, laboratory testing, numerical modeling, and statistical surveys, demonstrates that Tabique buildings exhibit satisfactory vertical load-bearing capacity, fire resistance, and thermal performance. However, it highlights a critical issue: current rehabilitation practices often involve the replacement of original timber systems with reinforced concrete or steel, which risks compromising heritage value. The research proposes a practitioner-oriented workflow for structural assessment and conservation, emphasizing the need for specialized preservation approaches that balance structural safety, regulatory compliance, and the protection of traditional construction techniques. This work provides a scientific foundation for sustainable interventions aimed at preserving the unique architectural legacy of the Alto Douro landscape.
Foliar application of nettle and Japanese knotweed extracts on Vitis vinifera : impact on phenylpropanoid biosynthesis and antioxidant activity during veraison and harvest of cv. Touriga Franca
Foliar applications of nettle (Urtica spp.) and Japanese knotweed (Reynoutria japonica) extracts significantly enhanced bioactive compound content and antioxidant activity in Touriga Franca grapevines, a key variety in the Alto Douro Wine Region. Nettle extract increased total carotenoids in leaves and boosted phenolic content along with ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) in berries, while Japanese knotweed extract elevated flavonoid levels in leaves and DPPH antioxidant activity in berries. Conducted over two growing seasons (2019–2020), the study demonstrates that these plant-based extracts can stimulate phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, improving grapevine physiological performance and berry quality—offering a sustainable approach to enhance wine quality without synthetic interventions.
How can landscape visual assessment inform landscape planning and management? – Alto Douro Wine region case study, Portugal
Landscape visual quality (LVQ) assessment is a powerful tool for monitoring and guiding landscape planning, particularly in UNESCO-recognized cultural landscapes like the Alto Douro Wine Region (ADWR). Research demonstrates that monitored areas within ADWR exhibit higher LVQ scores, characterized by imageability, color diversity, and land-use mosaics, while unmonitored regions with significant land-use changes show decreased visual quality. The study highlights that expansion of agricultural fields at the expense of traditional terraced vineyards and olive grove hedges negatively impacts aesthetic value. These findings underscore the importance of prioritizing conservation efforts for such features to maintain landscape integrity. The LVQ protocol, which evaluates physical, aesthetic, and psychophysical attributes, proves effective in identifying priority measures and tracking landscape evolution over time.
Exploratory approach for automatic detection of vine rows in terrace vineyards
An exploratory approach combining remote sensing with artificial intelligence, including Machine Learning and Deep Learning, shows promise for automatically detecting vine rows in the complex terrace vineyards of the Alto Douro Wine Region. This method addresses a longstanding challenge in precision agriculture, where most studies have been limited to flat terrains. Preliminary results indicate successful detection of both straight and curved vine rows, even on the challenging slopes characteristic of this UNESCO-listed site. The approach could facilitate multi-temporal crop evaluation and production estimation, offering significant potential for sustainable winegrowing practices in this globally recognized region.
Paisagens Culturais da Vinha: Identidades, Desafios e Oportunidades. XX Aniversário da Classificação do Alto Douro Vinhateiro como Património Mundial
A significant innovation in Douro winemaking emerged at the turn of the 20th century with the introduction and commercial success of sparkling wine, offering a viable alternative to the region's economic challenges. This study sheds light on how French winemaking techniques were adapted in the Douro, particularly in Lamego, where José Teixeira Rebelo Júnior and Adelino Pereira do Vale established a pioneering company that thrived both nationally and internationally. Through an analysis of newspapers, parish records, notarial documents, and private archives spanning 1880s to 1930s, the research reveals the entrepreneurial strategies and market dynamics that propelled this innovation. The findings highlight the region's capacity for adaptation, even amid crises, and its broader cultural significance as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Viticulture under climate change: A case study on a water scarcity model
A groundbreaking water scarcity model for viticulture, developed by ADVID/CoLAB VINES&WINES and the University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), leverages a multi-sensor network to map vineyard water stress in real-time. This Decision Support System (DSS) utilizes LoRaWAN technology for remote data transmission, enabling continuous monitoring of soil, plant, and atmospheric parameters—critical for assessing the soil-plant-atmosphere continuum under climate change. The pilot, deployed in a commercial vineyard within the Douro Demarcated Region (DDR), offers a cost-effective alternative to traditional methods like the Scholander pressure bomb, addressing water scarcity challenges in remote areas with limited mobile network coverage. By integrating Machine Learning, this system aims to optimize water management, enhancing sustainability and competitiveness for winegrowers while contributing to broader water resource conservation efforts.
Water Heritage in the Rural Hinterland Landscapes of the UNESCO Alto Douro Wine Region, Portugal: A Digital Humanities Approach
A digital reconstruction of the water heritage landscape in the UNESCO Alto Douro Wine Region reveals how augmented reality can enhance archaeological interpretation by visualizing historical transformations. Using IT, Digital Humanities tools, and historical cartographic data, researchers mapped anthropic elements related to water and natural features along the Corgo River, providing a realistic view of this cultural and natural landscape's evolution over time.
(Un)changing Landscape. Architecture and landscape in the Alto Douro Wine Region: memory for the future
The cultural landscape of the Alto Douro Wine Region faces significant challenges in balancing tradition and modernity. Research indicates that the mythification of rural life and nostalgic vernacular architecture creates tensions in heritage preservation. The study explores how the development of a 'heritage-landscape' concept can contribute to contemporary wine architecture between 2001 and 2011, enhancing tourist activities and territorial valorization. This approach highlights the potential for sustainable development through architectural innovation while preserving cultural identity.
Deep Learning Approach for Terrace Vineyards Detection from Google Earth Satellite Imagery
A deep learning model demonstrates promising accuracy in detecting terrace vineyards in the UNESCO-listed Alto Douro Wine Region, Portugal. Using U-net architecture applied to Google Earth Pro satellite imagery, researchers achieved preliminary success in automating the identification of these unique agricultural features on rugged schist slopes. This approach could facilitate multi-temporal crop evaluation and cultural characterization, addressing challenges posed by difficult terrain and manual labor intensity. The study highlights the potential of artificial intelligence in enhancing remote sensing applications for heritage site analysis.
Image of Douro Wine Region through social networks - Visitor Perception
Tourists' perception of the UNESCO-listed Alto Douro Wine Region, as reflected on social networks, is shaped by three dominant dimensions: the Douro River, vineyards, and Porto wine. These elements collectively form a cohesive image that influences visitor experiences and expectations. The study employed both qualitative analysis of social media content and quantitative surveys to identify these key components, offering actionable insights for regional stakeholders aiming to enhance promotional strategies based on lived tourist experiences.
The importance of immigrant and return migrant entrepreneurship in the development of a low‐density region
Immigrant and return migrant entrepreneurs play a pivotal role in the development of low-density regions, as demonstrated by their unique contributions to the Alto Douro Wine Region. These entrepreneurs bring fresh perspectives and untapped potential to the region, leveraging knowledge and experience gained abroad. The study, involving semi-structured interviews with nine immigrant and nine returning migrant entrepreneurs, along with four regional stakeholders, used content analysis and NVIVO software for data coding. Results highlight how these individuals perceive unexplored opportunities differently from local actors, thereby driving regional development.
Alto Douro Wine Region Quintas [Villas Estates] as inseparable elements in the construction of its landscape heritage
Quintas, or villas estates, in the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Alto Douro Wine Region are critical to preserving the region's cultural memory and identity. These units of settlement, agricultural exploitation, and social power contain a rich heritage that, if ignored, risks abandonment or destruction. Despite contemporary demands leading some quintas to reinvent themselves by blending tradition with innovation, their intrinsic value remains underexplored. This study identifies, qualifies, and disseminates the architectural and landscape values of these quintas, focusing on spatial, formal, ornamental, and recreational characteristics. By (re)discovering these elements, strategic solutions for safeguarding this heritage can be envisioned.
Territorial development, tourism, and the protection of World Heritage Sites: issues of geopolitical conflict
Geopolitical conflicts over development projects pose significant threats to UNESCO World Heritage Sites, as demonstrated by the contested construction of a hydroelectric dam near Portugal's Alto Douro Wine Region. This study reveals that such disputes intensify planning conflicts by generating competing interests among stakeholders, including local protesters and state representatives on the World Heritage Committee. These conflicts involve contradictory considerations related to heritage, landscape, identity, and economic development, particularly when tourism—a key revenue source for these sites—is at risk. The research employs critical geopolitical analysis to dissect these multifaceted issues, highlighting how World Heritage listing both amplifies and complicates territorial development challenges.
The Alto Douro Wine Region: potentialities for the development of environmental education projects
A study highlights the potential of the Alto Douro Wine Region (ADWR) to foster environmental education and sustainable development through interdisciplinary school projects. The research, currently in its initial phase, aims to leverage the region's unique mesological and climatic conditions to promote awareness about heritage preservation among younger generations. Divided into three stages, the study employs a project-based methodology across 18 schools within the ADWR, focusing on developing new skills, scientific literacy, and a culture of environmental education. This approach seeks to contribute to broader goals of sustainable development and community engagement.
Visitor segments for the Alto Douro Wine Region cultural heritage site
A study of the UNESCO World Heritage site Alto Douro Wine Region identified three distinct visitor segments: same-day visitors, cultural visitors, and individual mass visitors. These groups were characterized by their socioeconomic traits, cultural consumption experiences, and travel behavior. The research employed univariate and multivariate statistical analyses, including Categorical Principal Component Analysis and Cluster Analysis, to segment the data collected from site visitors. This segmentation provides valuable insights for heritage management, helping to optimize provision, attract new visitors, and encourage repeat visits.
Earth-based construction material field tests characterization in the Alto Douro Wine Region
Field tests for characterizing earth-based materials in tabique buildings, a traditional construction method in the Alto Douro Wine Regionreveal critical insights into their physical and chemical properties. This study marks the first systematic evaluation of such materials in situ, providing a foundation for assessing material suitability for conservation, rehabilitation, or new constructions. The research proposes a series of field tests to guide future normative documents, offering architects and engineers actionable knowledge to preserve this vernacular heritage. By addressing the lack of scientific studies on tabique technology, this work bridges gaps in traditional building practices while ensuring sustainable preservation efforts.
Building Heritage In The Alto Douro Wine Region, Portugal – Tabique Wall Nails Characterization
A first-of-its-kind characterization of tabique wall nails in the Alto Douro Wine Region reveals significant dimensional variability, with iron as the predominant material. The study highlights that existing nails should be replaced during conservation efforts due to their deteriorating condition, and provides guidelines for rehabilitation and rust prevention. This research addresses critical gaps in knowledge about vernacular construction techniques, offering actionable insights for preserving this UNESCO World Heritage Site's building heritage.
Wine and cultural heritage. The experience of the Alto Douro Wine Region
A study on the Alto Douro Wine Region reveals that visitors prioritize the preservation of vineyards supported by schist walls and the region's characteristic landscape mosaic. Using a mixed logit model, researchers found that wealthier, employed, better-educated individuals with deeper knowledge of the site's culture are more willing to engage in heritage conservation. The research highlights structural changes in the region's economy, driven by wine production and tourism, which threaten traditional cultural landscapes. This analysis underscores the need for public attention and preservation efforts to maintain the region's unique identity.
Economic Valuation of Cultural Heritage: Application to a museum located in the Alto Douro Wine Region World Heritage Site
A museum's cultural value within the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Alto Douro Wine Region is positively influenced by visitors' educational level and gender, while negatively affected by travel costs. This insight emerged from applying the travel cost method—a non-market valuation technique—to analyze demand for the Museum of Lamego. Researchers used a Poisson model to quantify these relationships, revealing that higher education and female visitors are more likely to engage with cultural heritage, whereas travel expenses deter participation. The study underscores the importance of indirect economic valuation methods in assessing intangible assets like museums, which lack market transactions but drive territorial development through spillover effects.
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